Is it weird that one day my kids won't dress up. One day they'll request a car for their birthday instead of the newest batman costume. One day they'll want me to take them to the movies instead of playing dress up with their brothers and sisters.
Some days I hate being mommy.
There I said it.
Did I just say that?
Some days I wish I was anything but mommy. Often I dream of just getting in my car and leaving to go eat lunch with someone without finding childcare. I dream of living in a loft downtown Austin and sleeping late and eating lunch at some bistro on Congress. I dream of going to a movie anytime I want.
Then I wake up and realize that one day I can do all that, but for now my job is home. My kids are my job and for that I am so grateful. I am the ONLY mom in the world they will ever have. I have a choice. I can love them through the chaos or I can think of all the things I think I'm missing out on by being mommy right now.
You see the truth is that I'm not missing anything. I'm gaining the world. I'm gaining all there is to gain. I needed to be reminded of this today as I cherished my kids tonight and this afternoon. They are my responsibility and God has entrusted them to me. I don't want to blow it and I don't want to lose the opportunity that I have with them.
Looking at this picture of my kids makes me think of all the joy that they bring to my life. Some times I only seem to focus on the chaos. The work. The craziness. The tantrums. The time-outs. The spankings. The pee on the floor. The laundry. The dishes. The early mornings. The car pools. The bickering.
I want to be a better mom. I want to be the best mom. I want to truly see them and truly hear them. I want to be all I can to them. I want to pour myself out for them.
Just recently I was reading in Ephesians chapter four: “I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, [2] with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, [3] eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Honestly I can not get those words CALLING TO WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN CALLED out of my mind. I know that Paul is for sure not talking to moms here, but for me this verse has screamed at me all week. Right now I have been called to be mommy to Cayden, Amos, Deacon & Story and this verse has wrecked me recently. I don't want to miss this.
I don't want to miss this.
I don't want to miss this.
I don't want to miss this.
I don't want to miss this.
I love this and needed to be reminded of it this morning. God is really teaching me to embrace this time in my life and be the best mom to my kids that I can possibly be. I feel like I could have totally written this myself, and I appreciate you sharing your heart and especially that verse!
You know you are totally speaking my language. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you for this reminder today! Us Mommies need to hold each other up and remind each other what a blessing this calling is. Some days we forget. Some days we need someone to come beside us and whisper in our mommy ears “You are blessed. God has trusted you with them. You are the only mommy they have. They need you. You don’t want to miss it. You can do it!’
Thank you for being my whisper today!
I can so relate to this post. There are times I do not understand WHY I was called for this position…when I am struggling with Parker’s dyslexia…or the tantrum Landen is throwing because I fed him turkey and he doesn’t like anything (unless of course he does like it that day…ARGH!)…or Tyler is having a 12 year old temper tantrum…which is N.O.T. pretty btw…or Evyn is whining because she just doesn’t want to go to bed when it’s bedtime or unload the dishwasher…
I struggle EVERY day to remember that God Blessed me with these babies…and if they were not here…how incredibly empty my heart would feel. But what I needed today…was to hear I am not alone. I am NOT ALONE! I know I have God, but I needed to hear I have friends going through WHAT I AM SPECIFICALLY going through.
Thank you Jamie!
Girl, right there with you.
We are not going to miss this.
It might take every ounce of courage we have to “just be” a Mom.
Now that I have a 13 year old I somewhat understand how fast this season goes.
Scary fast.
You inspire me.
AND I love the HEADER. See your style rocks!
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you…for this reminder. Sometimes I think I’m the only one who feels like that. It is hard being a mom. But so worth it. Thanks for your courage to put it all out there!
Oh, Jamie. Your honesty always makes me feel less crazy. I can relate.
well said…….:)
Thank you for saying what I am feeling today. Seriously, they are driving me bonkers & I needed this sweet reminder. I don’t want to miss it either.
Love the new blog look. THanks for your post. As momma to four – all within 4 yrs 4 months – I relate to you! (3 boys and a girl) i don’t want to miss any of it!! Thanks for sharing.
Beautiful post Jamie. God led me to your blog 18 months ago through your husbands music. His music spoke to our hearts in such a deep way while we went through our biggest struggle on this journey thus far, the birth, 8 month ICU hospitalization of our son and his death. During that journey God started speaking into our lives about adopting from Haiti and you have been one of the people He has used to do that. We are just beginning our journey toward adoption now. We also have two beautiful girls and our son’s life has taught us so much about cherishing every moment with our children. The scripture you referenced is wonderful and offers a beautiful challenge to my calling as a mommy. Thank you.
Favorite blog post, ever.